what i posted was just a brief outline and not the full facts of what has happened.

In which case there's not much more that we can offer to help you with. People have tried to provide you with the best advice they can on the basis of what you have been prepared to share but if there is more to this case they you have told us about then none of us can be sure that it is good or appropraite advice. You are free to reject any advice or opinions you want but when you have somebody from within the industry suggesting that you are harming your case by approaching it in the way you are then, yes, all you can do is wait and sit it out if you choose not to take the route that others have found in their experience will help expedite the matter for you.

SM

We had a hotel booking through Expedia during the ASH, not only did we get a full refund, this morning I received a voucher number for £50 off my next booking.

I am very pleased for you, it just shows you that there are some good independant tour operators out there.

We were stuck in Spain for extra 5 days due to ash cloud and are have applied for refund of flights from Ryanair, which I must say they are very slow in responding to. It's taken 2 weeks for them even to confirm receipt of refund request, but they do say the refund will take up to another 30 days.
But we have also completed and faxed the form for refund of hotel and food expenses - they have not confirmed receipt of this, and I have faxed it twice - tried phoning but kept on hold for ages at 10p a min, so I wondered if anyone else was just "hanging on" in the hope that they have so many claims, they will get back with their offer.
What's most annoying is that we have to wait to see what Ryanair give us back before we can claim anything off our insurance - what a pain! Anyone else out there got same probs?
Thanks

a friend of mine was due to fly to malaga with bmi baby
this was cancelled due to the ash
when he applied for his refund he said he didnt mind transfering the cost of his flight to a later date
today he received a refund plus £30 extra

Hi pat.e10

We actually had to change our flight 3 times while stuck in Spain, each time there was no problem actually changing the flight to a new one, even from/to different airports. Even if the cost was different Ryanair allowed us to book onto another flight at no extra cost, but eventually after the 3rd flight change we couldn't wait any longer and booked a bus, train & ferry to get us home as our next avail flight time was far too long to wait. Now our last flight needed to be cancelled and a refund request came up on screen right away........but it's the waiting for it to go back on my payment card that's bugging me!! Is it just Ryanair that's being slow then? compared with BMI (sounds like it!)
so frustrating

What you have to consider is that Ryanair fly considerably more passengers than BMI - and probably have about the same number of staff!! It's what you don't pay for when you fly with them and when things go right it isn't a problem.

You were lucky, you had the spare cash and skill to get yourself home. Quite a lot of passengers would struggle to find their way to the toilet without someone to point them the way!

This is really worrying.
We are due to fly on the 28th, booked with Caribbean Collection (part of Global Travel)
I thought if it came to it, I would be ok as they state Atol protected etc.
Let us know how you get on?

After 6 weeks of stress and dealing wth totally rude and ignorant people, stood my ground and new my rights, £3000 back in my account today; result; good luck to all those still fighting

6 weeks is pretty good going - with the big companies it can take that long even when they don't argue!

hello , winnO71965 we(me and my wife) are on the same boat as you were , we booked a full package holiday with the Tropical collection , and didn't fly because of volcanic ash, we contact them about the refund , and right away we been offered a refund only for flights , and not the whole price , even if everything was bought as full package , the invoice is break down and is all ATOL protected. Last week we did get a letter from them saying that we are not entitle for any refund because was a "act of god" , and to try and claim it from insurance company. WE did follow the same steps you did apparently , so are on the same situation you were on the beginning. Will you please be kind just to explain us what did you put down on writing to make them change their minds , or how do we have to approach them next?? I won't let it rest till i get my full refund ... they didn't finish the contract i paid them for... so i'm looking forward to hear from you...thx and hope that everybody in same situation to fight for their rights

Hi, sorry you are having so much trouble. Firstly contact the hotel chain where you were due to stay, and enquire if the accomodation had been paid for, it probably was'nt, if possible get them to email you this information. Do not contact tropical collection through the phone number on your invoice, go onto global travel group and use that number, you get through straight away. Ask to speak to someone in their legal department, inform them that you are aware of your rights and have taken legal advice. Give them a further 7 days to re-consider the issue, informing them that after that date you will issue legal procedings against them, which will then result in further costs, ie cost of issuing a claim, and any other expenses incurred whilst persuing the matter. You can contact me*email removed as per T&Cs* if you want any further advice. Good Luck

PS Point out to them that their T&Cs state that you can't claim compensation when it is an act of god, but you are entitled to a refund.